SQUAMADU

Are you ready to drop off into a world where there is time to breathe? Lie in bed and listen to birdsong? Watch the stars come out while a bonfire sends sparks up into the night sky? Discover a place to walk barefoot, take a swim morning noon or night and gather with a group of creatives who are also craving a place to pause and unwind?

If yes, join us for what feels like a bit of magic. This small retreat (just 20 people) is happening at a vintage lakeside compound and it’s

as if Squam + Into the Mystic had a baby:  Squamadu

UPDATE (October 5):
SESSION I is FULL/CLOSED
If you would like to be notified in case of a cancellation, please email us with SQUAMADU Session I WAITLIST in the subject line:   hello@squamartworkshops.com

UPDATE (October 15):
SESSION II is FULL/CLOSED
If you would like to be notified in case of a cancellation, please email us with SQUAMADU Session II WAITLIST in the subject line:   hello@squamartworkshops.com

Called The Hideaway at Xanadu Island (you can learn more and watch videos at the website) we are so grateful to be invited to hold a gathering here as the camp belongs to longtime Squammy Niki Reinan who, together with her husband, purchased this charming property in 2018 and has been lovingly restoring it ever since.

If you are not familiar with this enchanting area of the Midwest, it is part of the ancestral lands of the Dakota as Minnesota is centered within Dakota creation stories and this region holds an important place in traditional Ojibwe history. Along with the Dakota and Ojibwe, the Ho-Chunk, Cheyenne, Oto, Iowa, and the Sac & Fox tribes also acknowledge Minnesota as important to their tribal histories.

Built in 1917, the compound consists of a great lake house plus a handful of vintage cottages that is nestled on its own private island—okay, technically an isthmus, but it feels like an island because it is surrounded by water and we have it all to ourselves. Such an ideal setting for a creative getaway. Located in central Minnesota’s “lakes country,” the tiny town of Battle Lake is a bustling little community due to the high popularity of its arts community, restaurants and nearby lakes.

With the place to ourselves, there is so much room to sprawl out. A most beautiful barn will host our workshops.

Because everyone’s summer plans are different, we have created TWO sessions. Each session is all inclusive so you don’t need to choose classes as you will get to jump into ALL that is on offer.

SESSION I :: Wednesday AUGUST 19th – Sunday AUGUST 23rd

Are you ready for a book making extravaganza? During this first session, we will be tapping into the incredible setting we are in which is rich with ease, beauty and inspiration. Because we have the whole place to ourselves and can follow the schedule we want, the workshops will flow over all three days. We begin by choosing our own adventure—finding elements that speak to us, submerging into the joy of mark making, experimenting with watercolor, creating the meaning and texture we want to add into our books, and using this exploration to revel in play.

BOOK MAGIC is not any ordinary book making + book binding workshop. Ali Manning is sharing from her vast knowledge of both traditional and alternative book making techniques—as well as her passion for all the many ways we can transform paper and ephemera into beautiful books. We will have time to immerse ourselves in adding and expanding this book—perhaps it will hold spells and incantations for the life you want to manifest—into a treasured volume.

Wrapped through the explorations of book making will be time for sinking into WORD PLAY with prompts and exercises from Elizabeth Duvivier to help surface the dreams, poems, letters, messages that we want to tuck into these fabulous books we are creating.

SESSION II :: Wednesday AUGUST 26th – Sunday AUGUST 30th

Squeeeeee! We are gonna be sewing our own block printed pajamas! Unlike our other retreats that have a range of offerings, this gathering is all about making the most fabulous pair of pajamas with custom fit, custom style using the uniquely hand block printed pattern that you create—and who knows, if time permits, you might even make a matching t-shirt to go with it.

Sewist extraordinaire Rae Hoekstra has teamed up with our beloved Susana McDonnell (she of the many Squam tote bag designs . .) to manifest a dreamy retreat where we are carving blocks, choosing colors + fabrics + creating patterns that result in a most fabulous, wearable pair of pajama pants you might just swan about town in— I’m just sayin’ . . .

PAJAMA PLAY is all about the making and sewing of the pants. CARVE. PRINT. PAJAMA. is where we create the fabric to add to our pajama pants (or shorts, if you so desire).

Above is the barn where we will be stitching and Elizabeth in her pajamas at 10 pm
at the last Into the Mystic retreat in Norway. Yes—10 pm. It was the days of Midnight Sun.

Of course, we won’t be seeing any midnight sun in late August, but days will have golden light in the trees; the nights will allow for moonlight to be reflected in the lake. We will be all about the vibe of cozy, comfy and relaxed. And, given this is an Into the Mystic retreat, there will be some lovely offerings of Intuitive Magic from Elizabeth wrapped in and around our time together. And, if you are a knitter, you can be sure there will be loads of time for that in and around the workshops!

Best of all, there will be a fabulous bonfire on our last evening together—so get ready for the most epic closing celebration ever.

MEALS + ACCOMMODATIONS

We are in SUCH luck. Local chef and cookbook author, Sara Watson has created and launched several wildly popular restaurants will be catering our entire event. And there are a range of rooming options including private rooms with en-suite bathrooms (which we have never had on offer before)! If you want to room with someone in particular or share the same cottage with friends, there is a place on the registration form to call that out.

Register